Liquid fuel burner control



Dec. 14; 1948. A. QB'INNETT LIQUID FUEL BURNER CONTROL Filed 00%- 22, 1942 i Shuts-Shed. 1

" 41, 14 w Gttomcg Patented Dec. 14, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIQUID l UEL UilzzlR CONTROL Ashley 0. Bennett, St. Louis Park, Minn. Application October 22, 1942, Serial No. 462,947

18 Claims. (Cl. 158-423) The present invention is concerned with a liquid t level control and more particularly with one designed for the control of the flow of fueloil to a burner.

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid level control in which adequate provision is made for interrupting the flow of liquid upon the level of the liquid in a liquid chamber of the control rising to an abnormal level.

More specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid level control in which there are two valve means, one of which is normally positioned so as to maintain a constant level of liquid in the control and the other of which is positioned in accordance with the demand for liquid, and both of which are closed upon the liquid in the control assuming an abnormal level.

A still further object of the present invention is to rovide a valve mechanism in which any tendency of the valve to clog is eliminated by constantly vibrating a valve element.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a valve mechanism in which the tendency of the valve to clog when in a mini: mum open position is avoided by providing, an alternating current energized electromagnetic operator which is eilective to vibrate the valve with a frequency equivalent to the frequency of the energizing alternating current.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement such as set forth previously in which the position of the valve which is vlbrated is controlled by a condition responsive means.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a valve mechanism of the type in which the valve is vibrated by an electromagnetic operator,

= in which the movement of the valve by theelectromagnetic operator is opposed by a resilient temperature responsive'element which is heated under certain conditions so as to move in such a manner as to permit the valve to move to full open position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement employing an electromagnetic operator for vibrating a valve to prevent clogging in which means is provided which is effective upon the'liquid in the valve mechanism rising to an abnormal level to interrupt the energizing circuit of the electromagnetic operator to cause closureof the valve. I

A still further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement in which there are two valve elements cooperable with a valve seat, one of these valve elements being positioned in accordance with the demand for liquid and the other of the valve elements being engaged with the seat upon the liquid level within the control rising abnormally.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a valve mechanism for a fluid fuel burner in which a valve means is normally positioned in either a minimum flow or full open position depending upon the value of a controllingcondition and in which upon the fuel within a liquid chamber of the valve mechanism rising to an abnormal level, the valve means'is closed completely and is prevented from initially reopening beyond the minimum flow position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in combination with a fluid fuel burner having an electrically operated draft controlling means, a valve mechanism in which upon the liquid fuel therein rising to an abnormal level, a valve means normally adjusted in accordance with the demand for fuel is completely closed and the draft controlling means is deenergized.

Still other objects of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the accompanying specification, claims, and drawing, of which Figure 1 is a view of a burner control mechanism embodying my improved liquid level control, the

liquid level control being shown in section and the various other elements of the burner control mechanism in schematic form and in which Figure 2 is a modified form of my liquid level control.

Referring to the drawings for a more detailed understanding of the invention, my liquid level control is generally indicated by'the reference numeral l0. This control comprises casing member H which is separated by a partition I2 into a normal float chamber l3 and an overflow float chamber l4. Communicating with. the bottom of the overflow chamber I4 is an aperture which, is normally closed by a threaded closure plug l5. This plug can be removed whenever it is desired to drain chamber 14.

A float I6 is located in the float chamber l3 and a float ll in the overflow float chamber it. Both floats I6 and I! may be of any suitable construction and are shown for purposes of i1lustra 'tion in the drawing as hollow metal floats. The

float I6 is annular in form. Both floats l6 and I! control the position of a valve stem l9 which is tapered at its lower end, as indicated by the reference numeral 20, to form a valve head.

adapted to cooperate with a valve seat 25 formed on a nipple member 2| threadedly secured in the sleeve to form a valve seat 46'.

aims-1o bottom of the valve casing II. The nipple member 2| has an aperture 22 extending therethrough. Connected to the outer end of the nipple 2| by a coupling nut 24 is a pipe 23. The valve formed by the cooperating valve head 26 and valve seat 26 constitutes the inlet valve of the liquid level machanism. The pipe 23 servesto supply liquid to the mechanism and leads from any suitable source of liquid (not shown) Secured to the valve stem i9 are a pair of spaced collars 21 and 28. The, float I6 is secured to a lever 29 which is pivotallysecured to the valve casing by a pivot pin 33. The left hand end of lever 28 is in the form of a yoke 3| which straddles the valve stem ll between the two collars 21 and 28. By reason of the yoke 3| positioned betwee'nthe' two collars 21 and 28, the pivot 29 is, in eil'ect, pivotally connected to valve stem i9. It will be obvious that as the liquid level within the chamber i3 rises and falls, the float l6 will be-eilectlve to move valve member 20. As the liquid level rises, the valve head 20 is moved into engagement with the valve seat 25 of nipple 2| toshut oil! the flow of liquid into chamber I3. I

The casing ii is provided with an aperture 33 into which is screwed an apertured closure plug 34. The upper end of valve stem I9 extends through t e aperture of closure plug 34. The closure plug 34 serves to guide the upper end of valve stem l9. Moreover, because of the fact that valve stem l9 extends through to a point above the top of closure plug 34, it is possible to menually operate valve 29 by pushing down or raising up the end of valve stem 19. I

As previously noted, the float I! is also designed to actuate valve stem l9. This actuation is effected by a lever 38 which is pivotally secured to the casing by a pivot pin 31. As with the lever 29, the left hand end of lever 36 is formed in the form of a yoke 38 which straddles the valve stem l8 and which is designed under certain conditions to engage the collar 28. The lever 36 is provided with an annular portion 39 which surrounds a threaded valve guiding sleeve 46 to be presently described. The right hand end of lever 36 terminates in a curved bifurcated end 4| which bears against the float IT. The bifurcated curved end 4| of lever 36 straddles a rod 42 disposed in a cylindrical recess of the float 43. As will be obvious, upon the liquid rising in the overflow float chamber 14, the float II will rise to rock lever 36 in a counter-clockwise direction and to raise rod 42. The rocking of lever 36 in a counter-clockwise direction will cause the yoke 38 to bear against collar 28 and to move valve member 26 firmly into engagement with the valve seat 25.

The valve guiding sleeve 48 previously referred to is threadedly secured at its lower end in an apertured boss 45 formed onthe bottom of the casing. This boss 45 is provided with a threaded opening therethrough to which is secured an outlet plpe 46 leading to the apparatus. The bore of the sleeve 40 is reduced near the lower end of the The sleeve 40 is further provided with a plurality of apertures 41 which communicate with the interior of sleeve 49 and with the valve seat 46. Cooperating with the valve seat 46 is a valve stem 49 tapered at its lower end to form a valve head 50. Both the rod 49 Just discussed and the rod 42 are slidably supported adjacent their upper ends by a cover plate 52, the rods 49 and 42 extending through apertures in this cover plate.

Supported on the cover plate 52 by a plurality of standards 531s a solenoid 64. This solenoid 56; the core 59 is drawn up in an attempt to reduce ally supports a switch carrying lever 9|.

the reluctance of the flux path including core 59. The core 59 thus serves to position the valve stem 49 and hence valve head 50 with respect to the valve seat 46.

A bimetallic element 6| is secured at its left 'hand end between two blocks 62 and 63 of insulating material which" are clamped together against the bimetallic element and to the cover plate-52 by any suitable fastening means. As indicated by the arrow adjacent the right hand end of bimetallic element 6!, this element is designed to warp upwardly upon heating. The right hand portion of element 6| is provided with an aperture through which extends the valve stem 49. The valve stem 49 'is provided with a collar 61 which abuts the bimetallic element 6|. It will be obvious that upon the winding 56 being energized so as to move the valve head 50 away from valve seat 46, the bimetallic element, when in the position shown in the drawing, will tend to resist such movement.

Associated with the bimetallic element Si is an electrical heating element 10. This electrical heating element is disposed sufliciently close to the bimetallic element so that upon energization of the heating element, it serves to raise the temperature of bimetallic element 6| and cause the right hand end thereof to move upwardly. This upward movement of the right hand end .of nimetallic element is limited by a stop pin 68.

The energization of heater element 10 is con- 4 trolled by a switch responsive to some controlling condition indicative of the demand for burner operation. In the specific embodiment of the invention shown, this switch is in the form of a conventional room thermostat 13. This thermostat comprises a bimetallic element I4 to which is secured a contact arm 15 movable into and out of engagement with a fixed contact 16. As indicated by the legends C and H adjacent .the contact arm 15, the bimetallic element 14 is so disposed that the contact arm 14 is moved to the right upon a drop in temperature and to the left upon a rise in temperature. Power for energizetion of the heater I0 is obtained from a step down transformer 18. This step down transformer comprises a line voltage primary l9 and a low voltage secondary 80.

Secured to the top of cover plate 52 is a bracket 8| carrying a pivot pin 83. Secured to pivot pin 83 is a lever 84 which has two downturned ears 85 straddling the bracket 8! and journalled about pivot pin 63. The left hand end 81 of lever 84 is bifurcated and the two legs of the bifurcated portion 81 straddle a flanged collar 88 slidably secured on the valve stem 49. The two legs of bifurcated portion 81 extend between the flanges of collar 88 so that upon movement of collar 88,

the lever 84 is tilted. The lever 84 is provided with two upturned ears 89. A pivot pin 90 'extends between these upturned ears 89 and pivot- The switch carrying lever 9| is provided witha pair of clips 92 and 93 which support a mercury construction comprising a pair of electrodes 95 and 08 which are adapted to be bridged by a globule 9'! of mercury. The mechanism described as supported by'cover plate 52 is enclosed by a housing member I00. Screws i! or other suit able fastening means are employed to secure,the-

housing member and the cover plate 52 in position on the upper edge of the casing l l. The housing member I00 is provided with an aperture l0? extending through the right hand portion thereof.- The right hand end of lever 9i extends through this opening i0 2 and terminates in a finger piece 503 designed to be grasped by the operator for manual manipulation of lever ti. -My liquid level control mechanism is shown as controlling the flow of oil to a gravity feed type of oil burner'indicated by the reference numeral Hi0. This burner is of conventional construction and is shown only schematically. Associated with the burner H0 is a blower HI which serves to provide a forced draft to burner H0 through the conduit H2. It is to be understood that the liquid level control mechanism i0 is shown on a much larger scale than the burner mechanism H0 Actually, the valve mechanism 90 is smaller than theburner i i0 and is on substantially the same level or slightly above the burner. The pipe 23 communicates with an oil -orage tank. I i

Operation of species of Figure 1 thermostat i3 is at or is above the desired value.

In other words, the thermostat is satisfied" so that heater i0 is not energized.

Under these conditions, the solenoid winding 06 is energized by a circuit as follows: from a line wire i220 through conductor m, mercury switch 04, conductor I 22, winding 56, and con ductors 523 and I to another line wire I25. The line wires I20 and H5 lead to any suitable source of alternating power (not shown).

The energization of electromagnetic winding 58 tends to move valve head upwardly. Due to the fact, however, that the heater i0 is not energized, because of thermostat 13 being satisfled, the bimetallic element 6| tends to assume its cold position in which the bimetallic element engages collar 61 and impedes upward movement of valve stem 49. The bimetallic element 6| thus acts as a stop to prevent the valve 50 from moving to full open position. ,Due to the resiliency,

however, of the bimetallic element 6!, the bimetallic element 6| acts as a resilient stop. It will. be'noted from the preceding description of the solenoid 54 that no means. is provided to overcome the normal tendency of a solenoid energized by alternating current to exert a vibrating force. In an ordinary solenoid energized by alternating current, there is a tendency for the magnetic pull on the solenoid core to vary with the frequency of the energizing alternating current. In many applications of such solenoids, this tendency is avoided as much as possible by the use of shading. In the present'application, the shading is deliberately omitted so that the solenoid core 59 tends to vibrate up and down. As the solenoid pull is increasing, the movement of valve head 50 in opening direction will be yieldably retarded by the element 6!. When the solenoid pull is decreasing, the element 8| will tend to move the valve head 50 toward closed position. 'Since, except for the instant in each cycle that the energizing current is at its zero value, the solenoid is always exerting some pull, the collar 61 will always be in engagement with the resilient element 0i so that the element at will at all times affect the position of valve head 50. Thus, the valve when in its partiallyopen position, will vibrate about a position determined by the-position of element M. This is a very important feature or my invention in thatjt eliminates any tendency of the valve orifice to clog. Where an attempt is made to throttle down the flow of oil beyond a predetermined minimum, considerable dificulty is usually experienced with clogging of the valve passages. As a-result, it has been impossible to throttle the flow of oil beyond a certain fairly large amount. With the present arrangement, it is possibleto maintain the valve in a partially open position in which the average area of the opening between the valve head and the valve seat is only a small fraction of the area of the valve orifice. This partially open position is determined by the position of the bimetallic element iii and the resiliency of this element. In the drawing, the valve opening has been exaggerated considerably to clarify the illustration.'

It will be noted that the circuit to the winding 58 includes the mercury switch 0d. The mercury switch 04 is held in closed position, as long as winding 55 is energized and bimetallic element Si is thus vibrated in its flexed or intermediate range of positions, through the cooperative action of levers 8d and'tl. The lever 86 is tilted slightly upward by the action of flanged collar 50 which rests on the bimetallic element 0i. The lever 98 is biased in'a clockwise direction by the weight of the switch 94 so as to engage the right hand end of lever 8'4 and assume a position determined by lever 00. p

The switch 96 also controls the energization of the blower ill, the circuit to the blower being as follows: from line wire H20 through conductor 82!, mercury switch 04, conductors lid and E21,

blower iii, and conductor @20- to the other line wire 825. The operation of blower iii serves to supply draft air to the burner M0 to insure proper combustion of the oil being fed -to burner I The primary 78 of transformer 18 is also energized by reason of the closure of switch 06, the circuit being as follows: from line wire I20 through conductor l2l, mercury switch 94, conductors I28 and I30, primary winding 19 and conductors l8! and I24, to the other line wire I25. Despite the energization of primarywinding 19 and the resultant energization of secondary 00, the heater 10 is not energized, as previously explained, 'due to the fact that thermostat 73 is satisfied.

The oil is maintained within the chamber I3 at the level indicated in the drawing. Whenever the oil drops below this level, the float I6 is lowered to raise valve head 20 with respect to the valve seat 25 to admit more oil into the chamber l3. There is thus a constant head of oil which maintains a constant flow of oil through pipe 46 to burner 0.

cult is established to electrical heater 10 as follows: from the upper terminal of secondary 80 through conductor I35, bimetallic element I4,

contact arm 15, contact 18, conductor I36, electrical heater l0, and conductor I31 to the other terminal of secondary 80. The resultantenergization of heater 10 causes the bimetallic element 8| to warp upwardly until the right hand end thereof engages the head of stop pin 68. The movement of bimetallic element Bl upwardly permits the solenoid 54 to move valve 59 to open position. In this full open position, the vibration of the valve will be considerably less since bimetallic element BI is engaged with stop 88 so that the solenoid core 59 is, in effect, acting against a relatively fixed stop, with the result that the only force tending to move the valve downwardly is that of gravity. There is no need for vibration of the valve, however, when the valve is in full open position since there is no danger of the valve opening clogging under these circumstances.

The movement of valve 50 to its full open position causes the supply of oil to burner H to be increased so that the burner H0 is operating at its maximum capacity. This will eventually result in the heating of the medium with which thermostat I3 is associated so that contact arm 14 will separate from contact 18. Upon this happening, the bimetallic element 6| will cool off and will be effective to force valve 50 downwardly to its minimum flow position. It will thus be seen that during normal operation, the

valve 50 assumes either a minimum flow position in which it is vibrated by the solenoid 54 or a full.

As indicated previously, the float [6 is normally effective to'position the valve head 20 so as to maintain the oil at a constant level in chamber II. It occasionally happens, however, that a float such as float [6 may become ruptured so that it no longer floats. Or, a particle of dirt may become lodged between valve head 20 and the seat 25. In either case, the valve-20 is not effective to cut oif the flow of fuel into the chamber ii. If some means were not provided to cut oifthe flow of fuel, the oil would eventually rise to the point where the oil actually flowed out through the top cover plate 52 and on to the floor of the space in which the heater is located. The float I1 is provided for the purpose of avoiding this possibility. Upon the level of the oil inchamber l3 rising above the height of wall I2,

the oil will flow into chamber M to raise float l1.

When float I1 rises, it rocks the lever 36 to apply additional closing force to valve head 20. Because of the high mechanical advantage of the lever 36, the closing force applied to valve head 20 by float I1 is quite substantial. Obviously, if the failureof valve 20 to close was due simply to a defective condition of float IS, the operation of float [1 will cause closure of valve 20. However, even if the failure of valve 20 to close is due to some foreign matter lodged between the valve head and the valve seat. the probability is that because of the additional closing force applied by float Il, the valve 20 will be effectively closed.

Not only does the float ll function to apply additional closing force to inlet valve 20 but it also functions to cause closure of valve head 50 and to interrupt operation of the apparatus until someone has had an opportunity to inspect the cause of thedfailure and to manually reset the system. Upon float ll rising, the rod 42 will likewise rise, as previously explained. Upon rod 42 rising, it will tip the switch carrying arm SI and cause switch 84 to move to open position.

The opening of switch 84 causes deenergization of the blower motor ill, the solenoid 58, and the primary [8. The deenergization of solenoid 58 causes valve 50 to move to closed position and thus to terminate the feeding of oil to the burner H0. The burner is thus completely shut down due to the fact that it is supplied with neither oil nor draft air. The deenergization of primary winding I8 assures the deenergization of heater I0 so that when the apparatus is again started up, the burner will initially be supplied with a minimum amount of fuel.

The dropping of solenoid core 69 lowers the left hand end of lever 84 so that even if the oil level in the overflow chamber 14 drops, switch 94 will remain in open position. It will be recalled that the maintenance of switch 94 in closed position depended upon the energization of solenoid 58. Thus, as soon as solenoid 56 becomes deenergized, switch 84 remains in open position independently of the action offloat II. In order to restart the apparatus, it is necessary for the operator to push down on finger piece I03 and tilt the lever 9| in a clockwise direction. This involves the tilting of lever 84 which is possible because of the fact that collar 88 slides on the stem 49. As soon as the switch 94 is tilted to closed position, the original energizing circuit to solenoid 58 is reestablished so that the solenoid core 59 moves to a position in which it is able to hold switch 94 in closed position.

It will thus be seen that whenever float I1 is raised due to the liquid flowing into overflow chamber l4, both valve heads 20 and 50 are engaged with their seats and the entire system is shut down until the operator is able to manually reset the system. This gives an operator a chance to inspect the device to determine the cause of the difliculty and prevents continued operation of the valve when the mechanism including float l6 and valve 20 is not operating properly.

It will be seen that in the embodiment of Figure 1, I have provided a valve which is extremely trouble free. In the first place, provision is made for maintaining 'a minimum flow of oil without clogging of the valve. Provision is also made for increasing this flow of oil to a value adequate to take care of any heating requirements. Furthermore, while the apparatus functions normally to maintaina constant level of oil in the liquid chamber, provision is made in the event of this oil rising above a desired level to not only shut off the inlet valve but also to shutoff the metering valve and to shut down the system until some manual attention has been given the device.

Species of Figure 2 The arrangement of Figure 2 is similar in many respects to that of Figure 1. A principal difference between the arrangement of Figure 2 and that of Figure 1 is that the metering valve is provided merely with a manual adjustment and that the float in the overflow chamber operates an auxiliary valve associated with the metering valve rather than the metering valve itself. Inorder to facilitate a comparison of the species of Figures 1 and 2, the same reference characters are employed in describing parts in Figure 2 which are identical or substantially equivalent to elements of the embodiment of Figure 1.

In this embodiment of the invention, the casing II is provided with a boss I45 into which is threaded an apertured plug I46. Secured to this plug I46 is the pipe 46 which leads to the oil burner. The plug I46 is provided with an aperture I41 which terminates at its upper end in a at its upper end through an apertured boss I56.

The'upper end oi the rod is threadedly secured to a handle member I55 and held against turning with respect thereto by a nut I61. The bandle member I55 is threadedly secured to boss I56 so that upon rotation of handle member I55, its vertical position and consequently the vertical position of rod I 52 is changed. The outer end of handle member I55'is provided witha pointer I 58 which cooperates with any suitable scale (not shown) to indicate the settingof valve stem I52 and valve head I54. The valve head I54 corresponds to valve 50 of the species of Figure l and acts as a metering .valve for the liquid level control. In this species, however, the position of a a l0 rises above the height of tube I66. This is not likely to occur due to the fact that theadditional closing pressure applied by valve 20 is usually eflective to cut of! all flow of oil into the chamber I3 or, in extreme cases, to reduce this flow to an almost negligible value. It will thus be seen that as in Figure 1, provision is made for closing both the inlet and metering valves upon the liquid rising to an abnormal level. In this case, this is done by providing the metering valve 'means with two independently movable valve members which cooperate with what amounts to substantially the same valve seat. One of these valve members is adjusted for metering purposes while the other valve member is actuated to terminate the flow of oil upon the existence of I abnormal conditions.

this valve is manually controlled instead of auto- 1 matically. It is to be understood that as far as certain features of Figure 2 are concerned,'the stem I54 could be automatically controlled in the same manner as in Figure 1.

Surrounding and concentric with the valve stem I52 is a tubular valve member I60. This valve member is beveled at its lower end to co-- operate with the inclined valve seat I49. Adjacent its upper end the tubular valve member I60 is providedwith a pair of flanges I6I and I62. A lever I64 is journalled on a pivot pin I66 supported by a pair of ears I65 projecting downwardly from the cover plate 52. The right hand end of lever 64 is provided with a curved portion I68 which bears against the lever 36- so as to be raised by float II whenever lever 36 is raised by The left hand end of lever I64 is provided with a yoke I10 which straddles the tube I60 between the two'flanges I6I and I62.

It will be obvious that whenever lever I64'is tilted by reason of float I'I rising, the valve tube I60 is moved downwardly into engagement with The flow of oil to the oil burner is controlled by the metering valve I54, the position of this valve being controlled by the adjustment of handle I55.

If at any time, the float I6 and valve 20 fail to operate properly so that the oil level rises above the height of the partition I2; the float I1 is raised to rock levers 36 and I64 in a counterclockwise direction. The effect of this movement of lever 36 is identically the same as in Figure 1. In other words, additional closing pressure is applied to valve '20. The lever I64 is effective to move the valve tube I60 into engagement with its valve seat. As soon asthis valve engages its valve seat it is impossible for oil to flow out through tube 46 until such time as the oil level clear from the foregoing description.

, While I have shown certain specific embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that this is for purposes of illustration only and that my invention is to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a liquid fuel control for a burner, a casing having a first float chamber, and an overflow float chamber into which liquid flows only when the liquid fuel in said flrst float chamber rises to an abnormal level, floats in said first float chamberand said overflow float chamber, a first valve means positioned by the float in said first float chamber, a second valve means in series with said first valve means, thermostatically afiected means for adjusting the position of said second valve means in accordance with the demand for liquid and continually vibrating the same when said valve means is in an intermediate position,

and operative connections between the float in said overflow float chamber and both said first valve means and said second valve means such that upon the liquid fuel rising in said overflow float chamber, both valve means are closed.

2. In a valve structure, a casing having a float chamber, a float in said chamber and operative to rise from a normal position upon an abnormal rise in the level of the liquid in said chamber, a valve, an electromagnetic operator operatively connected to said valve and tending when enersized to open said valve, 9.- stop for' opposing the opening movement of said valve beyond a partially open position, means for moving said stop to a position in which said electromagnetic operator is free to move said valve to full open position, and switching means operated by said float and effective upon said float rising to deenergize said electromagnetic operator so as to cause said valve to close.

3. In a valve structure, a casing having a liquid chamber, a valve, an alternating current enerthe opening movement of said valve beyond a partially open position, said electromagnetic operator being operative when said resilient stop is opposing the opening of the valve to vibrate said valve with a frequency dependent upon the frequency of the alternating current, and switching means operated upon the'liquid rising to an abnormal level in said liquid chamber to deenergize' said electromagnetic operator so'as to cause said valve toclose.

4. In a valve structure, a casing having a liquid chamber, a valve, an alternating current energized electromagnetic operator operatively connected to said valve and tending when energized 11 I to open said valve, a resilient stop for opposing the o ning movement of said valve beyond 'a part1 yopen position, said electromagnetic operator being operative when said resilient stop is opposing the opening of the valve to vibrate said valve with a frequency dependent upon the frequency of the alternating current, means for moving said resilient stop to a position in which said electromagnetic operator is free to move said valve to full open position, and means operated upon the liquid rising to an abnormal level in said liquid chamber to cause said valve to close.

5. In a valve structure, a casing having a float chamber, a float in said chamber and operative to rise from a normal position upon an abnormal rise in the level. of the liquid in said chamber, a valve, an alternating current energized electromagnetic operator operatively connected to said valve and tending when energized to open said valve, a'resilient stop for opposing the opening movement of said valve beyond a partially open position, said electromagnetic operator being operative when said resilient stop is opposing the opening of the valve to vibrate said valve with a frequency dependent upon the frequency of the alternating current, means for moving said resilient stop to a position in which said electromagnetic operator is free to move said valve to full open position, and switching means operated by said float and effective upon said float rising to 'deenergize said electromagnetic operator so as to cause said valve to close.

6. In a valve structure, a valve, an alternating current operated electromagnetic operator connected to said valve, a resilient temperature responsive element for opposing the opening movement of said valve.beyond a partially open position, said electromagnetic operator being effective when said temperature responsive element is opposing the opening of the valve to vibrate said valve with a frequency dependent upon the frequency of the alternating current, and temperature changing means for changing the'temperature of the temperature responsive element to cause it to vary the position to which said electromagnetic operator is free to move said valve.

7. In a valve structure, a valve, an alternating current operated electromagnetic operator conncted to said valve, a resilient bimetallic element for opposing the opening movement of said valve beyond a partially open position, said electromagnetic operator being eifective when said himetallic element is opposing the opening of the valve to vibrate said valve with a frequency 'dependent upon the frequency of the alternating current and to an extent dependent upon the resiliency of said bimetallic element, and a heater for heating-the bimetallic element to vary the position to which said electromagnetic operator is free to move said valve.

8. In a valve structure, a valve, analternating current operated electromagnetic operator connected to said valve, a resilient stop for opposing the opening movement of said valve beyond .a partially open position, said electromagnetic operator being operative when said resilient stop assure engaging said seat, an alternating current operated electromagnetic operator connected to said valve member, and resilient means for opposing the opening movement of said valve member beyond a partially open position, said partially open position being one in which the area of the opening between the valve member and its seat is substantially less than the opening through the valve seat, and said electromagnetic operator being operative when said resilient stop is opposing the openingof the valve to vibrate said valve with a frequency dependent upon the frequency of the alternating current.

10. In a valve structure for controlling the flow of a conditioning fluid, a valve member, a valve seat having an opening therethrough which is closed by said valve member when the latter is engaging said seat, means afl'ected by an element responsive to a controlling condition indicative of the demand for said conditioning fluid for positioning said valve member and, when said is opposing the opening of the valve to vibrate said valve with a frequency dependent upon the 9. In a valve structure, a valve member, a valveseat having an opening therethrough which is .closed by said valve member when the latter is condition assumes a predetermined valueyfor longitudinally vibrating said valve element in a partially open position in which the area of the opening between the valve member and its seat is substantially less than the opening through the valve seat.

11. In a liquid level control, a casing having a flrst float chamber, and an'overflow float chamber into which liquid flows only when the liquid in said flrst float chamber rises to an abnormal level, floats in said first float chamber and said overflow float chamber, a first valve means, positioned by the float in said flrst float chamber, a second valve means in series with said flrst valve means'and comprising a valve seat and two independently movable valve elements adapted to independently engage said seat, means for adjusting the position of one of said movable valve members of said second valve means in accordance with the demand for liquid, and operative connections between the float in said overflow float chamber and both said first valvemeans and the other movable member of said second valve means such that upon the liquid rising in said overflow float chamber, both valve means are closed.

12. In a liquid level control, ,a casing having a liquid chamber, a valve means comprising two concentric movable valve members adapted to independently engage said seat, means for rigidly adjusting one of said valve members in accordance with the demand for liquid, and means for causing said other valve member to engage said seat without movement of said adjusting means whenever the liquid in said chamber rises to an abnormal value.

13. In a liquid level control, a casing having a flrst float chamber and an overflow float chamber intowhich liquid flows only when the liquid the other of said valve members without movement of said adjusting means by thef'loat in said overflow chamber.

14. In a valve mechanism, a liquid chamber, means for normally maintaining fluid fuel in said said valve means between a minimum flow posi tion and a full open position depending upon the valve of said condition, means operative upon the fuel rising in said chamber to an abnormal level to cause said valve means to close completely and to prevent said valve means from initially reopening beyond said minimum flow position.

15. In combination with a fluid fuel burner having an electrically operated draft controlling means, a valve mechanism for controlling the flow of fuel to said burner and comprising a liquid chamber, means for normally maintaining fluid fuel in said chamber at a constant level, valve means for controlling the flow of fuel from said chamber to said burner, means for adjusting said valve means in accordance with the demand for fuel, and means operative upon the fuel rising in said chamber to an abnormal level to cause said valve means to close completely and cause deenergization of said draft controlling means.

16. In combination with a fluid fuel burner having an electrically operated draft controllin means, a valve mechanism for controlling the flow of fuel to said burner and comprising a liquid chamber, means for normally maintaining fluid fuel in said chamber at a constant level, valve means for controlling the flow of fuel from said chamber to said burner, means controlled by a device responsive to a controlling condition for automatically moving said valve-means between a minimum flow position and a full open position depending uponthe value of said condition, means operative upon the fuel rising in said chamber to an abnormal level to cause said valve means to close completely, to'cause deenergization of said draft controlling means, and to prevent said valve means from initially reopening beyond said minimum flow position.

17. In a valve mechanism, valve means biased to closed position, electric motor means tending to cause opening of said valve means, thermal motor means opposing when cold the opening movement of said valve means, means including a device responsive to a first condition for controlling the heating of said thermal motor means to control the position to which said valve means may be opened, and means responsive to a second independent condition operative upon said second condition assuming a predetermined value to cause the deenergization of said electric motor means and to prevent the heating of said thermal motor means.

18. In a valve mechanism, valve means biased toclosed position, electric motor means tending to cause opening of said valve means, thermal motor means opposing when cold the opening movement of said valve means, means including a device responsive to a first condition for controlling the heating of said thermal motor means to control the position to which said valve means may be opened, and means responsive to a second independent condition for causing the deenergization of said electric motor means upon said second condition assuming a predetermined value. ASHLEY C. BENNETT.

REFERENCES CITED .The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 21,286 Foulds Dec. 5, 1939 1,107,748 Becker Aug. 18, 1914 1,410,909 Garvey Mar. 28, 1922 1,469,346 Westall Oct. 2, 1923 1,550,047 Remnsnider Aug. 18, 1925 1,556,817 Higgins Oct. 13, 1925 1,600,568 Smith Sept. 21, 1926 1,760,007 Schaller May 27, 1930 1,782,049 Powers Nov. 18, 1930 1,820,774 Boyce Aug. 25, 1931 1,821,769 Resek Sept. 1, 1931 1,858,557 Piatt May 17, 1932 2,068,138 Johnson Jan. 19, 1937 2,129,937 Johnson Sept. 13, 1938 2,183,815 Johnson Dec. 19, 1939 2,187,045 McCorkle Jan. 16, 1940 2,199,538 1 Curry May 7, 1940 2,236,559 Anderson Apr. 1, 1941 2,244,088 Stroud June 3, 1941 2,247,679 Focke July 1, 1941 2,267,187 Bock Dec. 23, 1941 2,329,292

Perry Sept. 14, 1943 

